Ryder provides range of DAF vehicles to Salisbury Linen Services

Salisbury Linen Services (SLS) has been provided with a range of DAF LF 150 12-tonne and 18-tonne box rigid trucks by Ryder.

Part of the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, SLS provides new provides specialist laundry and linen services for hospitals and community trusts across the south of England.

The DAF LF 150 vehicles are being used to deliver laundry, including bed linen and hospital scrubs, to almost 70 different NHS and health care providers across the South East, averaging 40 drops a day.

Anthony Proctor, operations manager at SLS, said: “It made sound business sense for us to have DAF vehicles as the warehouse we dispatch from is located at the same site as DAF dealer Brewers Truck Centre.

“Ryder has arranged a maintenance agreement with Brewers to handle our PMIs, MoTs, breakdowns and repairs.

“Being on the same site as Brewers is very helpful.”

All of SLS’s linen is manoeuvred by cage, so Ryder has provided lock rails inside the trucks to secure the loads, along with a full vehicle livery and built-in telematics from Microlise.

The telematics system allows SLS to track the vehicles and monitor delivery window times, as well as monitor driver performance to reduce any unnecessary costs related to tyre wear or harsh use of the accelerator.

Solar technology from Ryder partner Trailar is fitted to the roof and connected to the vehicle’s battery.

The harvested solar energy is used to power a range of on-board ancillaries including tail lifts, helping to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Proctor added: “The main benefit of having Trailar included with these vehicles is that it aids our sustainability goals by helping to lower our carbon footprint.

“We aim to be as efficient as we can be and not cause any unnecessary harm to the environment, which is all part of being a good and preferred supplier to the NHS.”